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Professional Biography

  • 1970-1972: Dutchess Community College–AAS degree in Commercial Art

  • 1972-1974: Medallic Art Company, Danbury, Conn.–sketch artist / sculptor
    Was hired as a sketch artist, and was introduced to medallic sculpture, and developed my technique of carving directly in the negative plaster.

  • 1974-1990: Freelance designer / sculptor

During this 16-year period, I worked at home for several different private mints across the country, providing plaster models for medallions and plaques.  I also sculpted the portraits of inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. from 1985-1996.  Over 90 of my portraits were hung there.
 

  • 1990-1991: Medalcraft Mint, Green Bay, WI–sculptor / engraver

  • 1991-2001: United States Mint, Philadelphia, PA–sculptor / engraver
     

Designed and sculpted Mint medals, Congressional medals, Commemorative coins, Circulating coins.

Maintained the dies used for list medal orders, and changed the dates on circulating coins each year.

THOMAS D. ROGERS, SR.
U.S. MINT DESIGN AND SCULPTURE CREDITS

All coins and medals listed below were both designed and executed in plaster by Rogers.

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Not listed, are the many designs Rogers executed that came from selected outside artists.

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  • Columbus Quincentennary $1—Reverse, 1992

  • Columbus Quincentennary $5—Reverse, 1992

  • WWII 50th Anniversary $1-Obverse & Reverse, 1993

  • Vietnam Veterans $1-Reverse, 1994

  • Women in the Military $1—Reverse, 1994

  • Special Olympics $1—Reverse, 1995

COMMEMORATIVE COINS

  • Atlanta Olympic Games $1—Reverse, 1996

  • National Community Service $1—Obverse, 1996

  • Smithsonian Institution 150thAnniversary $l—Obverse, 1996

  • Robert F. Kennedy $1-Obverse, 1998

  • Library of Congress $1-Obverse, 2000

  • Library of Congress Bi-metallic $10-Reverse, 2000

BULLION
 

  • Platinum Bullion Eagle (Uncirculated)-Reverse, 1997

  • Platinum Bullion Eagle, Proof-Reverse, 2001
     

MEDALS
 

  • Bicentennial of U.S. Mint-Reverse, 1992

  • Persian Gulf (Congressional)-Obverse, 1992

  • David Ryder, Mint Director-Obverse, 1992

  • Ben Franklin/Firefighters-Obverse, 1993

  • Lloyd Bentsen, Treasury Secretary-Obverse & Reverse, 1993

  • William Clinton, President (1st term)-0bverse, 1994

  • Nelson Mandela (Congressional)-Reverse, 1998

  • Gerald & Betty Ford (Congressional)-Obverse, 1999

  • Father Theodore M. Hesburgh/Notre Dame-Obverse & Reverse, 2000

  • Whitehouse Bicentennial (National)-Reverse, 2000
     

CIRCULATING COINS
 

  • “Sacagawea” Golden Dollar-Reverse, 2000

  • Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina $.25-Reverses, 2000

  • Rogers also sculpted the Reverse of the Rhode Island $.25, from a selected artist’s design.

  • After Rogers left the U.S. Mint in January, 2001, two of his previous designs were selected as reverses for medals for Larry Summers, Treasury Secretary and Jay Johnson, Mint Director.

The original 2000 Golden Dollar “Rogers” Reverse,

and the Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina Quarter Dollars

  • 2004-Present: Tom has operated his sculpture and glass studio in Beatty, Oregon.

  • His design was selected for 2016 Native American 1 Dollar Coin.

I was pleased to learn that the U.S. Mint decided to honor the original 2000 Sacagawea "Golden Dollar" with a 25 year anniversary 1/2 oz. gold coin minted in 2025 at the West Point Mint facility.  It was issued in July of 2025, and the only way the design differs from the original "Golden Dollar" is the "W" mint mark.

 

I am saddened that the late Glenna Goodacre, sculptor of the Obverse, was not here to share the honor with me.  I worked with her for a week or so at the U.S. Mint, as she refined her finished plaster model.  She was an exceptionally talented sculptor, and a very gracious lady.

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